Letter: Open-space verdict delivered by too few

When the town decides on the capping of the dump and the rebuilding of the transfer station, we might want to remember the lesson learned here and participate at a number greater than 3 percent.

To the editor:

Last evening, May 8, 2007, 411 Marblehead voters made a decision that will affect all residents. On Article 39, due to the strictest interpretation of the two-thirds rule, a parcel of open land will likely become home to six new homes on this 2.2-acre piece of land off Longview West.

By the numbers: Marblehead’s population (per [Town Clerk Tom] McNulty’s office) is 21,017 (“give or take”). There are 13,294 registered voters.

The vote on this article was cast by 411 at Town Meeting, representing 3.09 percent of registered voters. The actual tally was 273 for (66.4 percent) vs. 138 (33.5 percent) against. So, because one more affirmative vote was needed for a pure 66.6 percent, Article 39 was moved for reconsideration — not a revote, but a vote to consider a revote. (You had to be there.) Reconsideration was a paper ballot, original vote was a show of hands. The result was that six more votes were counted, and the vote for reconsideration was 269 vs. 148 against. Notice that six more individuals voted the second time — or was the original count of hands incorrect? We will never know. And the other 12,877 registered voters will not have the opportunity to consider the purchase of the open space in question ($1,295,000 was the price). The 400-plus voters in the auditorium Tuesday night became the gatekeepers of the ballot issues.

When the town decides on the capping of the dump and the rebuilding of the transfer station (a project which will be at least 10 times more expensive than the 2.2 acres) we might want to remember the lesson learned here and participate at a number greater than 3 percent.